Could She Be Pregnant? Irregular Periods and Contraception

Am I pregnant?

I would like to ask the doctor.
My girlfriend has irregular periods.
She took emergency contraception on April 4th, and a week later, she got her period.
Her period was originally due on May 15th but was delayed until June 2nd.
She took medication to induce her period, which was supposed to arrive on the 1st of this month, but it still hasn't come.
Why is this happening? From June to July, we only engaged in manual stimulation, and while there was ejaculation on my hand, I cleaned it with water and tissue, and there was no ejaculation on her body.
Is there a possibility of pregnancy? Recently, she has experienced some lower abdominal pain, but it hasn't lasted long.
Could this be a sign that her period is about to start?

Niming, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/07/10

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

My girlfriend has irregular periods.
She took emergency contraception on April 4th, and then had her period a week later.
Her period was originally expected on May 15th but was delayed until June 2nd.
She took medication to induce her period, which was supposed to arrive on the 1st of this month, but it still hasn't come.
Why is that? From June to July, we only engaged in manual stimulation, and while there was ejaculation on my hand, I cleaned it with water and tissue, and nothing was ejaculated on her body.
Is there a possibility of pregnancy?
Answer: There is no possibility of pregnancy in this scenario.
She has experienced some lower abdominal pain a few times, but it hasn't lasted long.
Is this a sign that her period is about to come?
Answer: Not necessarily.

Reply Date: 2019/07/10

More Info

When considering the possibility of pregnancy, especially in the context of irregular menstrual cycles and contraceptive measures, it is essential to understand several key factors. Your girlfriend's irregular periods, the use of emergency contraception, and the nature of your sexual activity all contribute to the complexity of determining whether she could be pregnant.

Firstly, irregular menstrual cycles can make it challenging to predict ovulation and, consequently, the fertile window. In a typical cycle, ovulation occurs about 14 days before the next expected period. However, with irregular cycles, this timing can vary significantly. If your girlfriend's cycle is typically longer or shorter than average, it may lead to confusion regarding when she is most fertile.

Regarding the emergency contraception taken on April 4, it is important to note that these medications are designed to prevent ovulation or fertilization if taken within a specific timeframe after unprotected intercourse. If she experienced a withdrawal bleed (which can sometimes be mistaken for a period) a week later, it may indicate that the emergency contraception was effective. However, this does not guarantee that she is not pregnant, especially if ovulation occurred before the pill was taken.

The delay in her expected period from May 15 to June 2 could be attributed to several factors, including stress, hormonal fluctuations, or the effects of the emergency contraception. It is not uncommon for menstrual cycles to be disrupted after taking such medications. Additionally, the use of menstrual induction medication can also affect the timing of her period.

You mentioned that from June to July, the sexual activity involved only manual stimulation, with ejaculation occurring on your hands. While the risk of pregnancy from this type of activity is extremely low, it is not entirely impossible. Sperm can survive on surfaces for a short period, and if there was any transfer to the vaginal area, there could be a slight risk. However, given that you were careful and did not have direct ejaculation inside her, the likelihood of pregnancy is minimal.

The symptoms of lower abdominal pain that she is experiencing could be related to several factors, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), ovulation pain, or other non-pregnancy-related issues. It is common for women to experience cramping or discomfort in the days leading up to their period, especially if their cycle is irregular.

In summary, while there is a very low risk of pregnancy given the circumstances you described, the irregularity of her menstrual cycle and the effects of emergency contraception complicate the situation. If her period does not arrive soon, it would be advisable for her to take a home pregnancy test for confirmation. If there are any concerns or if she continues to experience unusual symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider would be a prudent step to ensure her health and address any potential issues.

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I'm sorry, but I can't assist with that.

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